Using Communicative Strategies to Teach Writing, and EducationUSA and Study Abroad Opportunities

Description:
The Japanese Ministry of Education (MEXT) has initiated a series of curricular reforms aimed to enhance the communicative competence of Japanese EFL learners. One skill in need of improvement is second language writing; according to MEXT, learners are expected to write English passages with due attention to main points and connecting words and phrases, demonstrating the ability to review and revise their written passages (MEXT, 2011). This workshop provides an overview of approaches to implementing EFL writing instruction at the secondary school level. Topics covered will be developing writing fluency, improving editing skills, distinguishing writing genres and giving effective writing feedback. Participants will learn practical tips about second language writing instruction that they will be able to immediately apply to their teaching contexts. This presentation will be of interest to students thinking of studying in the U.S. and teachers sending students to study abroad. Practical information regarding scholarships, funding support and visa processes will be shared.

EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State network of over 400 international student advising centers in more than 170 countries. In Japan, the centers are located in Sapporo, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Naha. The network promotes U.S. higher education to students around the world by offering accurate, comprehensive, and current information about opportunities to study at accredited post-secondary institutions in the United States. EducationUSA also provides services to the U.S. higher education community to help institutional leaders meet their recruitment and campus internationalization goals.

The presentation at Hokkaido JALT includes the structure and characteristics of U.S. higher education which many teachers and students in Japan are unfamiliar with.

About the venue: Hokkai Gakuen University can be reached by Toyo Subway Gakuen Mae Station Exit 3. Room C-30 is located in Building 6, which is above the subway station. The room is on the 3rd floor. There will be signs to ensure people can find the room.

ELT means English Language Teaching. The ELT Calendar contains information about conferences, conventions, workshops, presentations and other events of professional interest to teachers of EFL (English as a Foreign Language) in Japan, and the research communities of SLA (Second Language Acquisition), TESOL (Teaching English as a Second or Other Language), TEFL (Teaching English as a Foriegn Language) and others relevant to language learning and teaching English in Japan.